The energy in the MVP Arena was electric as the class of 2026 took their final steps as college students. For the remarkable individuals from the College Experience Program, this wasn’t just a walk across a stage. It was a powerful statement of inclusion, hard work, and the boundless potential of every student, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Earlier this month, the journey toward this milestone began with an intimate graduation breakfast. Surrounded by their peers and the staff who have supported them, the graduates donned their caps and gowns for the first time, reflecting on years of growth and friendship. It was a morning of celebration and bittersweet goodbyes before break, but the true pinnacle of their academic career was yet to come.

On May 16, those graduates joined their fellow students from Russell Sage College to participate in a unified commencement ceremony. At its core, the College Experience Program is built on the value of empowerment. We believe that every individual deserves the tools and the opportunity to lead an independent, fulfilling life. Seeing the students in the program walk alongside the entire Russell Sage graduating class served as a beautiful, public realization of that mission.

Inclusivity is not just about physical presence. It is about belonging. These graduates have spent their college years immersed in a supportive community where they were encouraged to strive for their best. As they crossed the stage at the MVP Arena, the cheers from the crowd proved that the bonds formed here are lifelong.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Russell Sage College for their unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment. By welcoming our students into the fold of the broader campus community, the college has demonstrated that education is most impactful when it is accessible to all.

To our graduates: You have shown what is possible when determination meets opportunity. You have empowered yourselves and inspired everyone around you. We cannot wait to see the incredible things you will achieve in this next chapter of your lives.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!